Winter Edition 2017 President Ron Mitcherson Receiving the Branch

WINTER EDITION 2017 PRESIDENT RON MITCHERSON RECEIVING THE BRANCH

SUICIDES IN THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE ~ PAGES 10 TO 15

NON ~ LIABILITY HEALTH CARE VETERANS PAGE 25

Official Newsletter of: Toronto RSL sub-Branch PO Box 437 Toronto 2283 [email protected] 02 4959 3699 NEWCASTLE ARMOURY

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From the president’s Winter has arrived with a vengence and it is not expected to get any better. However every day you wake up is a plus, so why whinge. ANZAC day this year was quite successful what with a large crowd for the dawn service which was followed by a full breakfast in the Diggers Club for a gold coin donation. The kitchen staff of the Club did an excellent job in the preperations of the food and the ladies from the To- ronto RSL Women’s Auxiliary and their volunteers did an excellent job of de- livering it to the people there for breakfast. I would like to thank all those in- volved outside of the ladies that assisted in the day to make it the success that it was. I also attended the Ryhope ANZAC Service with Secretary Bill at the Lake Macquarie Memorial Park. That also was well attended. Then the final march and service in Goffet Park here in Toronto their was an excellent turn up to this event led by the Toronto Brass Band and a great in- volvement of the 217 Army Cadet Unit, who not only acted as flag bearers but supplied the catafalque party for the whole of the service. The school leaders from St Pauls High School, Toronto High School and Charlton Christian Col- lege did an excellent job as usual with their respective readings. I would also like to thank them for their professionalism and respect for the occasion. We of the sub-Branch play a very small part in the main service and select a different High school each year for the different roles in the program. The role up of younger school children and the community in general was a credit to the community as a whole. While more emphasis these days is put on the plight of refugees (not to be forgotton) it’s great to see that Australians also honour those who have kept them safe and made this country what it is today. Even today we have brave men and women of the ADF serving in different parts of the world working along side our Allies in a combined effort to keep

1 In May this year Secretary Bill and I travelled to Albury for the 2017 RSL NSW

Annual State Congress. The fact that there were no Audit Financials because of what is traspiring in State Branch at the present time. After much debate, the Chair called for a Mover and seconder from the Delegates so that the Congress could go ahead without the Audited Financials so at the end Con- gress could be officially closed. Further once the Financials had been Audited they would be made available to all sub-Branches. On a lighter subject, we have not had a welfare trip for our members this year as I and and other executives and committee members have been quite busy with RSL matters bearing in mind all the negative news coming out of State Branch over money issues, etc. So members, keep you eye out in the next issue which comes out in October and we will combine whatever we do with our Christmas celebrations.

Thats about it for me this isssue. So until next time Keep safe and healthy.

The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance

Ron (Mitcho) Mitcherson

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE CURRENT OPERATIONS The Government has approved the deployment of approximately 3300 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to 12 operations overseas and within Australia to protect Australia and its national interests. Of these, approximately 400 ADF members are actively protecting Australia’s borders and offshore maritime interests. Afghanistan and Middle East Maritime Security Operation SLIPPER is Australia's military contribution to the international campaign against terrorism, maritime security in the Middle East Area of Operations and countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden. Around 1550 ADF personnel are based within Afghanistan as part of Operation SLIPPER, while about 830 personnel are deployed across the broader Middle East Area of Operations. Australia has maintained a continuous maritime contribution to Operation SLIPPER, which currently consists of the ANZAC Class Frigate HMAS Toowoomba. Operation PALATE II is the ADF contribution to the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA). Two Australian Army Officers serve as military advisers within the UNAMA Military Adviser Unit. ….Cont…../Page 4

Operation RESOLUTE is the ADF’s contribution to the whole-of-government effort to protect Australia’s borders and offshore maritime interests. It is the only ADF operation that currently defends homeland Australia and its assets. The Op- eration RESOLUTE Area of Operations covers approximately 10% of the world’s surface and includes Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone which extends up to 200nm around the mainland, Christmas, Cocos, Keeling, Norfolk, Heard, Mac- quarie and Lord Howe Islands. At any one time, up to 400 ADF personnel at sea, in the air and on the land, are working to protect Australia’s borders and offshore maritime interests. They work alongside personnel from Customs and other agencies. E ast Timor Operation ASTUTE is the ADF’s continuing contribution to the maintenance of peace and stability in East Timor. The operation commenced in 2006 following a request from the Government of Timor Leste to the Australian Government for the creation of a multi-national security force to assist with stability operations within Timor Leste. The force, called the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in East Timor, has evolved over time and currently consists of approximately 460 personnel from the Australian (almost 390 personnel) and New Zealand (70 personnel) Defence Forces. Operation TOWER is the ADF’s contribution to the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), which plays a crucial role in security reform within East Timor.

Patron: Wing Commander (rtd) RAAF John Hulbert Chaplain: Reverend Julie Turnbull

President : Ron Mitcherson Vice Pres: Jon Handley J.P. Vice Pres: Brian Besley Hon. Secretary: Bill Noble BEM A/Secretary: Paul Kelly Hon. Treasurer: Garry Coleman Welfare Officer: Bobby Horn Pensions Officers: Peter Keane J.P. : Ron Savage J.P. Roger Priest Webmaster: John Drew KEEPING IN TOUCH EDITORIAL STAFF Ron Mitcherson : Bill Noble BEM : Paul Kelly 4

5 Page 5

DIVE MEDICS DELVE DEEPER ON EXCHANGE

By Lieutenant Sarah West ~ NAVY NEWS~VOLUME 60 No. 60 ~ 29 JUNE 2017 Two ADF medical Officers with specialist knowledge in underwater medicine had their eyes opened at alternative uses of hyperbaric chambers during Exercise Pacific Partnership. LCDR Douglas Falconer and Lt. Tanille Chapman, of Navy’s Submarine Underwater Medicine Unit-East (SUMU-E) found the information exchange program with the Vietnam People’s Armed Forces in Vietnam very use- ful. They exchange knowledge about dive-specific medical conditions and treat- ments, the use of hyperbaric chambers to treat other conditions such as chronic wounds, and methods for treating conditions unique to working in a maratime en- viroment. “It has been a meaningful exchange and I will certainly take away some new ideas that the ADF may want to explore in the future on how certain conditions might be treated differently.” Lt. Chapman said. “The Vietnamese doctors use hyperbaric chambers to treat a much broader range of conditions than we do, so it was really interesting to hear about the successes they have had in this area. It certainly provided food for thought with respect to our own applications of this sort of treatment.” She said. The medical officers were invited to tour hyperbaric facilities in the Vietnam Peo- ple’s Navy Hospital Ship Khanh Hoa (HQ561) and at the military hospital at Nha Trang. LCDR said it was a fantastic opportunity. “The ship is a really capable vessel that can treat injuries and illnesses that occur as a result of submersion, as well as a whole raft of other conditions.” he said, “It has two operating thea- tres, an intensive car facility with a high-dependency unit attached to it, two den- tal rooms, a ward, pathology services and an X-ray, all on one deck of the ship.” The Vietnam People’s Navy commissioned six Kilo-class diesel-electric subma- rines in 2013, giving the country a new, powerful modern submarine fleet, so submarine underwater medicine was a key area of interest during the exchange program, Lt. Chapman said. “We have been doing underwater medicine for a long time now, so the Vietnamese officers were interested in hearing what we have learnt and how we have adapted our practices over the years,” she said. “Medicine is one of those things that transends boarders and language barriers because medical conditions do not discriminate. So, opening up dialogue through information exchanges like this is mutually beneficial and really contrib- utes to stronger and more meaningful defence relationships.” Lt. Chapman said, the exchanges on Exercise Pacific Partnership, which finished at the end of May, undoubtedly made the international underwater medicine community stronger. “This is a specialist field and there really aren’t that many of us, so the more we can get togther and share information and make meaningful con- nections and contracts, the better off everybody in the community will be,” Lt. Chapman said. This has been a positive experience for us, and I know it has

7 CHAPLAINS CORNER

The topic of this article has come to me for a couple of seem- ingly unrelated reasons… one is that I was writing a card to a sick member of the parish and as I placed the stamp on the envelope I noted that it was commemorating the centenary of the First World War… the second is that this edition of ‘Keeping in Touch’ is published at the beginning of NAIDOC week.

As I placed that stamp on the envelope, I began to reflect on who they were, those people who signed up and went away in 1914; and then, because NAIDOC week is upon us, I wondered about indigenous service personnel.

So, I did a bit of research on the Australian War Memorial website and learned some very interesting information… did you know indigenous people have served from at least the time of Federation [and there is evidence to suggest that even before then there indigenous service members].

The amazing thing is that in the face of colonial expansion, discrimina- tion and the brutal and violent processes by which indigenous people were dispossessed of their traditional lands, [known in some indigenous circles as the Frontier Wars], there were those amongst them who chose to support the military objectives of this nation; the nation that had marginalised, neglected and disadvantaged their peoples to the fringes of white society.

Why they did it, we don’t know; but records prove that there were indigenous Australian personnel serving in the Boer War, WWI, WWII, BCOF, the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, and the Vietnam War - and all this before indigenous folk were truly recognised as citizens of this country.

Since then indigenous people have slowly become a welcome and inte- gral part of the modern ADF.

What made those early indigenous people support this country’s military objectives? Who knows? But we give thanks to God for their contri- butions and that they led the way for future generations to join with us to attempt to promote peace and justice, in spite of the injustice and damage done to them. Certainly gives pause for thought doesn’t it?

Let’s pray…

8 before you the pain and anguish of dispossession of land, language, lore, culture and family kinship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced. We are sorry and ask your forgiveness. We live in faith that all people will rise from the depths of despair and hopelessness. Touch the hearts of the broken, homeless and inflicted and heal their spirits. In your mercy and compassion walk with us as we continue our journey of healing to create a future that is just and equitable. Lord, you are our hope. Amen

Blessings Rev. Julie The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Phone: 4959 8108

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED MAKING A BEQUEST OR INCLUDING THIS SUB BRANCH IN YOUR WILL

May we encourage you to think of us when making a bequest or when you are making your will. Your memorial gift will help us towards our goal; to look after the welfare needs of veterans, their widows and their

DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is produced for the membership of the To- ronto RSL Sub Branch and complimentary copies are also distributed to interested parties. It is written with care, in good faith and from sources believed to be accurate at the time of writing. However, readers should not act, nor re- frain from acting, solely on the basis of information in this newsletter about financial, taxation or any other matter. Readers, having regard to their own particular circumstances, should consult the relevant authorities or other advi- sors with expertise in the particular field. Neither the Toronto RSL Sub Branch, nor the management committee or editorial staff accept any responsi-

NEW NEIGHBOUR An Asian fellow moved in next door . He has travelled the world, swum with sharks, wrestled bears and climbed the highest mountains. It became as no surprise to learn that his name was Bindair Dundat.

I am NZ Patron to the Central Coast Interactive War Exhibit, 24 Tatura Ave, Gosford NSW 2250. I also set up the Combat suicide program as an educational tool for this military museum that will offer hope to the many soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilian family members fallen to suicide. We will be placing a Bronze Memorial plaque, dated 23rd June 2018 @ 11am service which I will conduct.

Our Central Coast Interactive War Exhibit, military museum execu- tive invite all Veterans sub branches National Australia to follow in our footsteps on this day by running their own special event to "Respect & Remember" fallen to suicide. I can put each groups event on our website www.combatsuicide.com which will be linked to our Gosford military museum.

Because suicide and mental health issues are with children today and all sports groups we should invite schools to participate in this special event or better still invite them to follow suit on school grounds it then makes it personal to schools affected.

It would be great to have your Toronto RSL club place a Suicide Memo- rial Day Plaque in your Toronto area. I am in the process of getting per- mission from Army, Navy, Air Force brand name managers in Canberra so collectively we could use those emblems on the plaque to "Respect & Remember" military fallen to suicide. By doing so we will empower dignity back into the family unit. We feel 2018 is the appropriate year to launch the inaugural June 23rd Memorial service 100 years after WW1 suicidal tragedies to the present time.

Clarence Ormsby, J.P. Vietnam Veteran 10

"YOU ARE MY REASON"

During World War One a soldier took leave to visit his wife and they both discussed they did not want to be separated by the war again so they went to bed and never woke up. Their suicidal death was ridiculed by military and political officials.

During the Vietnam war a soldier mate took his life in the safe zone of the 1st Australian Task Force, Nui Dat. His suicidal death was ridiculed by military and political officials.

In April 2017 after I had done a Seniors Concert at Doyalson RSL an Aus- tralian mother phoned my home and said her son suicided after serving in Afghanistan and she said would never ever support RSL or military events like ANZAC day again. It is so sad when we have soldiers and mothers feeling the sadness when we are able to help them through their trauma.

Last week I was told a mother lost her son to suicide 18 months ago and she took her life last week even though she had been attending a suicide prevention therapy social group.

We need to do more than what is happening to the millions of tax payers dollars that is handed out. We have so many military and civilian families in Australia who are traumatised by this silent killer called suicide so we have decided to start and make it right with "Suicide Memorial Day" 23rd June 2018....100 years after the many tragedies from World War One, World War Two to the present time.

All media can help us take this group of Veterans into schools, communi- ties and march on ANZAC DAY 2018 to "Respect & Remember" our mates, family and children who have fallen to suicide. Carry the banner and help us put the word dignity back into Australian, Ethnic, Islander and Indigenous families and tell them they have not failed.

Help us promote the positives of this issue rather than painting a dark pic- ture that haunts families for-ever. Help us change the mindset of military and political officialdom and their agencies that includes mental health facilities. Help us disabled veterans with invisible scars become an honour guard with our dog patrol for the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney. 11 This would be our tribute to the many dogs who helped soldiers, Police and other public services around the world. This is a must!!! We have written to Minister Veterans Affairs in Canberra, New Zealand and the Donald Trump administration in the USA. I visited Canberra War Memo- rial last week and there is no recognition program there for soldier mates fallen to suicide. We need to change their mindset. An Australian Vietnam Veteran, Frank O'Neill in Western Australia has presented his story to WA Senate and he works very closely with that political advisory board. I presented the same story to Hon Dan Tehan's Senior Advi- sors last week in Canberra Parliament house. Its worth a read and it is a starting point for serious discussion rather than sitting in the dead zone.

I also met a couple visiting from Israel at the Canberra War Memorial and they told me they have the same issues with their military and civilian families.....so its a international issue when it comes to wars in other countries. Wear our t-shirt and take the positive message around Australia and world wide. As Seniors we have a responsibility to share our wisdom and not turn a blind eye.

Join us 23rd June 2018 @ 11am, 24 Tatura Ave, Gosford NSW 2250 to "Respect & Remember" or if you can’t have a commemoration at you own Cenotaph or if possible at your own “Respect and Remember” Memorial on the date mentioned above.

Clarence Ormsby, J.P. Founder and World Patron of Suicide Memorial Day NZ Patron

It is also recorded that due to war or war like service, just this year alone there have been 41 sucides of ADF (Australian Defence Personal that have committed suicide where in the whole 13 years of the Afghan War where veterans suffered as a direct result of the war (Killed In Action) KIA a word that seems to be taboo in the military these days, like (wounded in Action) WIA. Apparently it is more politically correct to say died from injuries or wounds received. How ludicrous. There are figures coming to the fore that around 7,000 Vietnam Veterans (ADF) have taken their own lives since their service in Vietnam.

Changes to the assessment of suicide claims

In February 2017, the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) determined fur- 12

Previously , the SOP’s requird that factors required the factors such as a catorgary 1A stressor (e.g. expereiencing a life threatening event), a carorgary 1B stressor (e.g. witnessing a person being killed or seriously injured) or a category 2 stressor (e.g. having a serious financial hardship) must have occurred within prescribed periods of the stressor being experienced. The time limits for the category 1 Stressor have been totally removed. For category 2 stressors, time thresholds have been lengthened to within five year of the event.

A further factor, which relates to experiencing problems with a long term relationship. Has been included in the SOP’s for suicide and attempted suicide claim to be successful is for it to have occurred within 10 years of the problem with the long term relationship.

Where claims have been previously rejected, clients who believe their circumstances may meet the new factors should consider lodging a new claim. Review bodies considering claims that were rejected under the previous SOP’s will apply the new SOP’s.

The amendments came into effect on the 27th March 2017.

More informatioin about these changes can be found on the “suicide and attempted suicide” page of the RMA website (www.rma.gov.au then type suicide into the search window.

This article has been taken from : THE RECENT EDITION OF VETAFFAIRS Vol 33 No 2 WINTER 2017.

EDITORS NOTE: Being an ex-Veteran myself I see this Article as follows: Although we welcome some of the changes mentioned within this article it does not go far enough. As the time periods seem unrealistic if a ADF person commits suicide it reads as if he/she does not fit the time frame criterria he/ she will be wiped and family will have no basis for any type of claim. In a lot of cases the stressors that drives ADF personal to commit suicide or attempt to commit suicide come later in life and can be triggered by the smallest things, which automatically causes flashbacks, etc., which then works on that persons mind to such a degree when the ultimate happens. And you will find in many a case were this situation arises this person will not seek help before he/she

If this article raised any issues, please contact the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS). VVCS is available 24 hours a day across Australia for crises support and free and confidential counselling. Phone 1800 011046 (International: +61 8 8241 4547) or go to www.vvcs.gov.au 13

YOUNG MEN WHO LEAVE DEFENCE FORCE FACE DOUBLED SUICIDE RISK. LONG TERM STUDY FINDS

ABC News Posted 30 Jun 2017, 3:16pm Fri 30 Jun 2017, 3:16pm

Young men who leave the Australian Defence Force (ADF) before the age of 24 are twice as likely to take their own lives compared to men the same age, a 15 year study has found.

The analysis of circumstances surrounding the suicides of serving and for- mer ADF members, compiled by the Australian Institute of Health and Wel- fare (AIHW), shows young men leaving the Army most vunerable.

“Between 2001 and 2015 there were 325 certified suicide deaths among people who served in the ADF,” director Barry Sanderson said, pointing to discharge men under 24 as the most at-risk age group.

“These young men were twice as likely to die by suicide as young men in the general Australian population”

“There were certain goups at a high risk of suicide as well as that age group ~ they were those that had served in the ADF for less than a year, and those that were discharged involuntarily.”

The report focuses on servicemen, as while incidence of women who had served in the ADF taking their own lives was recorded, there was not enough data to form solid conclusions.

Ex-ADF personnel ‘falling through the cracks’

While those in the Defence Force saw lower rates of suicide than men in the broader population, ex-servicemen were 14 percent more likely to take their own lives.

Neil James from the Australian Defence Association said the report showed not all discharged members were finding the help they needed.

“Psychological care people get in the Defence Force is still pretty good,” he said.

“The problem with the post-service suicide rate is once you‘re discharged you’re no longer the problem of the Department of Defence.”

Involuntary discharge sees higher suicide risk

Mr James said it appeared those who were medically discharged from the De- fence Force were also at risk.

“In many cases it would not appear to be depression or PTSD resulting from war service,” he said

“One of the things that it does point out is that people who are young and involuntarily discharged from the Defence Force on medical grounds are more likely to commit suicide.”

Calling for more resources and research, Mr James said there would be no easy solution to better those who had served in Defence.

“I don’t think anyone really knows how you fix it, but putting a lot more time, effort, CHILDREN ARE QUICK TEACHER: Glen, how do you spell cocodile? GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-A-I-L. TEACHER: No, that’s wrong. GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it. TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water? DONALD: H I J K L M N O. TEACHER: What are you talking about? DONALD: Yesterday you said it’s H to O. TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence started with ‘I.’ MILLIE: I is.. TEACHER: No, Millie….Always say, ‘I am.’ MILLIE: All right..’I am the ninth letter of the alphabet. TEACHER: Clyde, your composition on ’My Dog’ is exactly the same as your brother’s..Did you copy his?

WINTER ~ STARTER ~ CHEATS SOUP

THAI PUMPKIN AND CHICKEN SOUP

60g red curry paste 2 x 510 cans pumpkin soup 2 x 400ml cans of coconut milk 2 chicken breasts thinly 4 shallots thinly sliced white part & green sliced 2 tbsp chopped fresh corriander leaves 1 cup (250ml) chicken stock Add the curry paste into a large heated oiled pan and cook stiring until fragrant. Add the soup, coconut milk and stock to the pan and bring to the boil. Add the chicken and stir until cooked. Stir in the corriander and shallot.. Serve with crusty bread. Serves 2/3.

Bon appetit

BEEF STROGANOFF WITH FETTUCCINE

500G beef stir fry strips 1 tbsp olive oil Half cup of beef stock 2 tbsp tomato paste 30g butter 1 small onion, chopped 250 carton light sour cream 250g button mushrooms, 1tsp cornflour or arrowroot finely sliced egg pasta, fettuccine or you choice Coat the beef strips in oil, season with pepper and salt. Pre-heat a large non-stick pan to medium-high heat. Cook the beef in 3 batches, turning as required. (don’t over cook) Set aside. COOK FETTUCCINE TO INSTRUCTIONS SO THAT IT IS READY ONCE THE STROGANOFF IS READY Add butter to the pan and add onion and cook until softened. Add the mushrooms and cook until tender. Add beef stock and tomato paste, stir and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes. In a small jug, combine the sour cream and cornflour/arrowroot. Stir into pan and simmer for 1 minute return beef and any juices to pan, stir and simmer for 2 minutes. Spoon sauce over pasta and sprinkle with chopped

16 DESSERT ~ BREAD AND BUTTER PUDDING 10 slices of white bread, cut Quarter cup of butter or margarine melted into cubes half a cup of raisins 1 tsp ground cinnamon 6 eggs 2 tsp vanilla extract three quarters of a cup white sugar half tsp salt 3 cups of hot milk 1 pinch of ground nutmeg Heat Oven to 190c. In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, melted butter or margarine, raisins and cinnamon; mix well and transfer to a 2/3 litre baking dish. Use the same bowl to beat the eggs, stir in sugar, vanilla and salt. Mix well until sugar is disolved. Slowley whisk in the hot milk. Pour egg mix- ture over bread cubes, sprinkle with nutmeg and set aside to soak for 5 minutes. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until knife in-

RAAF NEWS

Bad news Rank wise has just come from the RAAF. The Warrant Of- ficer Discipline (WOD) Mustering will cease to exist from 1 June 2018.

The positions Base WOD and Squadron WOD and titles (BWOD - WLM, etc.) under the new concept are being re-graded/re-classified into Base Warrant Officer, and mustering titled as Tier B Warrant Of- ficers.

The only time we can carry our Pacestick is when conducting Pa- rade Ceremonial Training, then if on Parade we can only carry a DATES TO REMEMBER Monday ~ 10/07/17 ~ Monthly Meeting at 10.00am

Monday ~ 14/08/17 ~ Monthly Meeting at 10.00am

After 72 years of global peace, it’s easy to be complacent about geopolitical stability and to take it for granted. It’s easy to believe we are now too smart to ever again allow a repeat of the calamities of the first and second world wars and to treat global peace as the new normal. To dismiss the close calls of the Cold War period as events of a distant past. The reality is we cannot, and should not, take peace for granted. Global peace is certainly not the old normal. While those of us younger than 70 years of age have never lived with global conflict, the history of mankind is one of almost continual military conflict. From the clashes of the great civilizations including the Macedoni- ans, the Persians, the Romans and the Mongols, through to the Crusades, and eventually the world wars of the 20th Century, global conflict has been pretty much a constant feature in human relations.

That statement rings even more true when you add more localised but still very large wars of independence, state-on-state conflicts, civil wars and wars against non-state actors, including those in many of our own lifetimes such as Korea, Viet- nam, Iraq, Afghanistan. There is no room for complacency. So what are the main threats; Islamic State, Russia, China, Iran or North Korea? I don’t believe so. The biggest threat is the collective loss of faith in the rules-based systems which have served us so well for the past 72 years, and a fracturing of the almost universal commitment to that order.

The United Nations is not perfect, far from it. Trade liberalisation has driven difficult structural change but its universal benefits have been substantial. Economic coor- dination through country groupings like the G8, the WTO, ASEAN and the EU has delivered ongoing global growth and lifted billions of people out of poverty.

Last week Australia notched 26th year of continuous economic growth. We have our challenges for sure, but the current system has been good to us. When people start looking for something different, they need to ask themselves what that something different might look like and what the consequences might be!

Since your last Newsletter, Lake Macquarie City Council successfully secured a NSW Community War Memorials Fund grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs for the conservation assessment of three historic war memorials.

The war memorials at Killingworth, West Wallsend and the German trench mor- tar in Speers Point Park will be included in the program and are an important part of our military heritage and honour the sacrifices of local servicemen.

Over the years, time and the weather have taken their toll on the marble, sand- stone and iron that make up these memorials. The grant funding, along with funding from the LMCC Local Heritage Grant program, will enable specialist as- sessments to be carried out to ascertain the required conservation works for each memorial.

The conservation works will help to protect and preserve these important community heritage items into the future.

The NSW Government established the Community War Memorials Fund to help protect and conserve war memorials across NSW.

A new addition to my contribution to your newsletter is a quick update on some interesting developments around the electorate.

As you may have read, the campaign for the next stage of the Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange project has really stepped up ahead of this month’s State Budget. The next stage requires a $13m State Government contribution for con- struction of the Pennant Street bridge over the rail line near Glendale shops.

I have also called for a review of palliative care outreach services in the region after it emerged that some Lake suburbs are serviced by a 24-hour outreach service and others are not.

20 In general terms, the outreach service provides on-call assistance, including phone calls and home visits to patients in the final stages of their lives who have returned home to spend their remaining days with family and friends. If you live north of the Fennell Bay bridge you have access to the services 24 hours. However, those south of the bridge have access to a 9-5 service with only a telephone service after hours.

More than 300 people access the 24/7 palliative care outreach service in the parts of the Hunter in which it operates. This invaluable service not only needs to be maintained but supported and extended. I’ll be keeping the pressure on the government to extend this service.

Regards

92 Victory Parade, Toronto NSW 2283

email: [email protected] Electorate Office 4959 3200 facebook.com/GregPiper1MP

MODERN DAY FUNERAL

Greetings all Again winter is upon us and time to dust off the heaters, put away the mower and relax for a bit, yes have already had a good frost here in Cooranbong.

Sadly again we have lost 2 members since the last KIT was published John Steele and Ross Mitchell, John’s smiling face in the front row and words of guidance and help will be sorely missed as will the visits from Ross when he was down in To- ronto from his second home in Tamworth.

Another Sausage Sizzle has been done ,this time with a changed format that has it seems worked quite well just a small tweak in a couple of places and all should run well for the next if there is to be one, The 3 team system with a team leader took a great load off Bruce and I as well as Des, and I wish to thank all that helped out on the day, it was a profitable event and monies have been again raised for the cadets and the other originations we donate to each year, though we all are getting older and slower it is great to see willing helpers, never know one day may even get those that have never assisted along for a 3 hour stint.

Bruce, Des, and I attended the service at Burwood and as usual the assistance given to that sub branch from the local council is amazing ,the programme alone is outstanding, there were many from other branches there as well as many military dignities past and present, Cadets, Air league, and bands and free sausage sizzle and coffee served by the local scouts, Rhonda and her committee do a marvellous job each year for this service, perhaps the next one it would be worth the West- lake’s sub branch attending as a group, whilst we are still able, something to pon- der on.

The 3 monthly meetings of the sub branch’s north of the Hawkesbury have contin- ued and wish to thank V.P.Gordon for standing in as I could not attend, our next one will be at Toukley should any wish to come along and sit in, also a second talk by Tony Gardner is on the books at a meeting, his last one on Darwin was informa- tive and look forward to the one on Timor at date yet to be set.

As I Look out the window today Monday of the long weekend there is something strange and something I have not seem for quite some time a blue SKY and sun- shine, fingers crossed it stays around for a while and I can finish playing with the godsons boat bottom and get it back in the water expensive things slipways as you pay by the metre per day plus, 12 ton of game fish- ing 22 The definition of a boat is a rectangular hole in the water into which one pours lots of money especially if made of wood.

Not much more to say but will finish off with an item on the dangers of drinking tea some may be able to relate to this.

Tea is more dangerous than Beer. Please avoid drinking Tea.

I discovered this a few days ago, I had 12 beers till about 3am with a friend over the road.

While my wife was just drinking tea at home.

You should have seen how violent and angry she was when I arrived home. I was peaceful, silent and headed to bed as she shouted at me....

All night and even into the next morning,

Please ladies, if you cannot handle your tea, don’t drink it.

Until the next issue in spring, look forward to seeing you all at meetings.

Regards to all Andrew Macrae President

Wonderfully British

In a train from London to Manchester, an American was having a chat with the Englishman sitting across from him in the compartment.

"The trouble with you English is that you are too stuffy. You set yourselves apart too much. You think your stiff upper lip makes you above the rest of us. Look at me... I'm me! I have a little Italian in me, a bit of Greek blood, a little Irish and some Spanish blood. What do you say to that?"

The Englishman looks over his glasses and replied,

"How very sporting of your mother!"

217Army Cadet Unit (ACU)

Quarterly Report For Second Quarter 2017

1. Hello all. 217ACU has had a few changes over the last few months with plenty of activities and training to keep us busy. I have taken on the role of Officer Commanding for the Unit with big shoes to fill after CAPT(AAC) now LT(AAC) Gordon Macey stepped aside into the Unit Training Officer Role. I would also like to mention UA(AAC) Tanya Nelson coming onboard as an Adult Cadet Staff member of 217ACU. 2. Activity wise -in March, we conducted our Recruit Training Weekend in conjunction with 21BN Live Firing Shoot at Singleton with support from 8 ER and 8CSSB. The Cadets were also able to meet the NSW AAC BDE Com- mander and RSM who attended the activity. April saw us moving into ANZAC services and again I would like thank all sponsors for the fantastic effort in bringing the community together in remembrance for our fallen and serving members. The cadets that participated in the ceremonies have expressed their pride and respect by attending seven different ANZAC Services. In addition, I was able to attend the Adventure Training Award (ATA) 2017. In May, we conducted a Simulated Weapons Training Day, where CDTSGT Toby Ad- ams achieved a fantastic score of 70mm average over 20 rounds at a target at 100m. It is my understanding that this is the best score in the Hunter Bat- talion this year so far. Future events include Term 2 camp being conducted on the June Long Weekend over a 24 hour period where we will be attending the Tree Top Ad- venture Park at Minmi as an adventure training activity. NSW Brigade Promo- tion Courses held in July 2017, CDTSGT Caleb Watts and CDT Noah Far- leigh-Hall will be attending in order to upskill in leadership and command. Kind regards

Eyvonne Fuller CAPT(AAC) 217 Army Cadet Unit (ACU) ~ Training Officer (TRGOFFR) Mobile: 0409 310 713 ~ Unit email: [email protected] Personnel Cadet email: [email protected]

Up-Coming Activities and tasks Term 2 Camp: June Long weekend 2BDE Promotion course: Jul 17 2017 Recruit course. Aug Camp – prep for AFX17 ANZAC Day Activities. AFX Organise long lead time activitie

PENSIONS REPORT

At present our Pension Officers and Advocates are still quite busy with vari- ous cases still running. As well as that they are retraining under the New ADTP system which is to take over from the original TIP program.

NON-LIABILITY HEALTH CARE ~ TREATMENT ELIGIBILITY & PROC- ESSING GUIDE

Sections 85(2) and 88(A) of the VEA provide treatment via a Repatriation Health Card ~ For Specific Conditions (White Card) to a specific class of veterans who are suffering from Malignant Neoplasis (cancer), Pulmonary Tu- berculosis, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety Disorder, Depres- sive Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder and Substance Use Disorder.

For Malignant Neoplasia (cancer) and Pulmonary Tuderculosis, applicants must meet certain eligilibity. Refer to 7.2 Treatment under Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC) arrangements in the Compensation and Support Policy Library for further information.

For PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder and Substance Use Disorder, applicants may be eligible if they have rendered Continuous Full Time Service (CFTS) in the ADF, irrespective of the length of their service, where they served, or the type of service. This also includes re- servists who have rendered any period of CFTS. Refer to 7.2 Treatment under Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC) arrangements in the Compensation and Support Policy Library for further information.

For a full list of any new conditions being investigated go to the RMA website at www.rma.gov.au and look under “What’s New”.

A number of investigations have been finalised and SOPs determined and details of these will be published and mentioned in our Keeping in Touch as they come to hand.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Our Advocate and Pension Officer’s are on duty in these sub-Branch of- fices Tuesday and Wednesday between the hours of 9.30am and 12 mid-

25 BILL THE BARSTARD

The writer of this article takes no reference to the title.

This is a story about a horse.

The Waler is an Australian breed of riding horse that developed from the horses that were brought to the Australian colonies in the 19th century. The name comes from their early breeding origins in New South Wales; they were originally known as New South Walers.

The Waler combined a variety of breeds; particularly the Thoroughbred, Arab, the Cape horse (from the Cape of Good Hope), Timor Pony and perhaps a little Clydesdale or Percheron. It was originally considered only a "type" of horse and not a distinct breed. However, as a landrace bred under the extreme climate and challenging working conditions of Australia, the Waler developed into a hardy horse with great endurance even when under extreme stress from lack of food and water.

In Australia's two wars of the early 20th century—the Second Boer War and World War I—the Waler was the backbone of the Australian Light Horse mounted forces. It was especially suited to working in the harsh climate of the Sinai Peninsula and Palestine, where it proved superior to the camel as a means of transporting large bodies of troops. During the Boer War, Australia dispatched 16,314 horses overseas for use by the Australian Infantry Forces. In the First World War, 121,324 Walers were sent overseas to the allied armies in Africa, Europe, In- 26 Due to the costs said to be incurred for "returning horses home" with their mounts and perhaps to a lesser extent, quarantine restrictions, only one Waler is known to have been returned to Australia; "Sandy", the mount of Major- General W.T. Bridges, an officer who died at Gallipoli in May 1915.

It was Ben Towers second attempt to join the Australian Light Horse. He was in Sydney’s Liverpool army camp in June of 1914 and was being interviewed by the recruitment officer and SNCO. (His first attempt to join had been at Cootamundra & used his real name of Ben Burke and being a local was rejected because he was under age). The Officer liked the look of the lad, however was suspicious of his age so decided to place him on a horse that no-one had been able to ride with the intention to find Ben unsuitable. The horse was a larger than normal Waler, standing just under 18 hands, weighing 730 kilo- grams with an attitude all of his own. The horse was named Bill, they called him “Bill the Bastard”. Ben rode Bill for longer than any of the others who had attempted to ride him and impressed the recruiters with his skill so was accepted into the Light Horse. Ben was to die later of wounds received in the taking of Beersheba in October 1917 and was carried to the field hospital on the back of Bill. While in the field hospital Ben asked the padre to write to his uncle Fred Burke in Cootamundra. On receiving a telegram informing him of the death of his ‘nephew’ Ben he wrote back: “I do not have a nephew named Ben. I do have a son by that name but I believe he is somewhere in the North- ern Territory droving. We have not heard from him for three years. In any case, he couldn’t be in the army. He is only 17. That means he would have been 14, just, when he joined up. You have made a mistake”

Bill’s attitude to riders made his future as a pack horse an obvious one. He was loaded onto the15000 tonne Leviathan, under the care of A B ‘Banjo’ Paterson along with 27 Vets & 8000 other horses dispersed in the 38 transport ships that made up the convoy in November of 1914. Banjo acted as a would be vet and his first encounter with Bill was when he wouldn’t allow anyone to load him into the lower holds, nor on the deck. He finally settled on the mid deck that was protected but with ample ventilation. During the trip to the de- serts of Egypt the ship went through several storms, two stalls of horses were washed off the deck & lost at sea, several died in the holds of fever & sick- ness. Along with several other incidents on the trip Banjo began to take notice of the big horse and admired his attitude. Banjo soon found he could talk to and pat Bill without any retribution. Bill even allowed Banjo into his stall although Banjo never trusted the huge horse. A total of 220 horses died on the voyage. Banjo didn’t stay with the light horse after arriving in Egypt, he went on to England in the hope of becoming a war correspondent. He was not of- fered that position so became an ambulance driver for the first 3 months of the European war. He gave that away and took up an offer from Harry Chauvel, officer in charge of the Light Horse in Egypt, as officer in charge of the re- mount division. They had become friends during the Boer war in South Africa and even though Banjo had a deformed arm due to a horse accident as a child, he was accepted into the 27 Army and eventually would rise to the rank of Major.

In Egypt the horses were introduced to their charges and remounts assigned and Bill was to get another chance as most believed him too good a horse just to be a pack horse. Bills first charge was a large trooper from Cudgewa on the Victorian border named Gerry Henderson. He was an amateur boxer and weighed in at 120Kg. After being told of Bill’s reputa- tion, Henderson boasted he’d busted bigger bastards than that one. Bill remained placid while being rigged out, trouper’s kit, bandolier with 150 rounds of ammunition, rifle, water bottle, military saddle, a haversack con- taining a carryall with soap towel & 1 meal, overcoat, waterproof ground sheet, blanket, horse brush pad, mess tin, canvas bucket, feedbag, pick- eting peg, heel rope, linking rope and a leather horseshoe case with spare shoes & nails. This totaled approximately 80Kg, around 200Kg on the horse in all. Bill accepted Henderson on his back for the first 100m until the rider started jerking the bit to get Bill moving faster, he started into a gallop and Henderson found he had no control and tried to stop the horse. Bill went from full gallop to stop in a few strides, the rider just managing to stay on. Henderson then used a whip to get Bill moving again, Bill’s ears pricked up, he shook his head & took off for a dozen paces, stopped dead & bucked, pivoting to the right sending the rider high into the air to fall heavily. Goaded by the other troopers Henderson went after Bill. The horse sensing Henderson’s anger just trotted out of reach until getting sick of the game and cantered back to the corral about 600m back. Bill was a pack horse again.

The Light Horse were sent into battle in May 1915, not on their horses but to Gallipoli as ground troops fighting out of trenches. Bill was with them as he was a pack horse and it was here he first came into contact with Lieu- tenant Michael Shanahan. Bill had to carry a 400Kg load up Monash val- ley as far as Quinn’s a couple of times a day, Michael, a horse lover, noticed the big horse and took a shine to him.

General Birdwood was wounded at Quinn’s using a periscope to survey the Turkish trenches, A sniper fired at the periscope, hitting the mirror and the bullet fragmented, a piece hitting Birdwood on the head, not seriously but enough to put him out of action for a couple of days. Major General William Bridges, commander of the Australian first division was killed by a sniper on his way to Quinn’s a couple of days later. Bridges was shipped back to Australia with his horse ‘Sandy’ for a state funeral. Sandy was the only Waler horse to make it back to Australia. Getting supplies to the men in the trenches was only one part of Bill’s job, to waste the services of an unloaded pack horse was never the case and on the way down he carried the wounded or dead.

It was usual to rest the men from the front line posts whenever possible, most just exhausted. This was also the case with the pack animals although they were always used on other jobs away from the fighting. In Bill’s case they used him to carry the heavier dispatches between Suvla Cove & British Headquarters at the cove, a distance of 28 Typical of the troops, many wagers were placed on the outcome of the “mail run” & even, it was learnt after, the Turks placed bets on the rider being shot. A British Captain, Anthony Bickworth, was the son of an upper class impoverished British count and heavily in debt. He took a wager of 100 pounds he could ride Bill on the 7 Km mail run. Bickworth arrived to start the run with a stirrup whip and was warned by the attendant the horse objected to the use of a whip, the advice rejected.

This was the first time Bill had been ridden since Henderson’s attempt 6 months earlier and he didn’t object at first. About a quarter of the way the first of the Turkish snipers started shooting at the rider and he used the whip to urge Bill on. Bill objected immediately and threw the rider and in doing so saved his life as a bullet meant for Bickworth struck the horse. Bill went straight into a gallop along the path he knew well, however was hit again further along the track. It was Lt Shanahan who stopped Bill at the depot and discovered his wounds and helped the vet attend the horse. One bullet was removed, the other was logged in deep and left. Shanahan liked the horse and looked after him whenever he could, gradually gaining the respect of the horse. It was Shanahan who organized to have the horse taken from the Cove back to Cairo. Only one third of the 800 original mules & horses left the cove alive, the remainder dying of fatigue or wounds. Shanahan worked with Bill for the next 4 months & Bill became his horse. They went into action for the first time on the 23 April 1916. Shanahan led 128 troopers to Oghratina, a village 40Km from the Suez Canal in the Sinai. The British 5th Mounted Cavalry Brigade had been ambushed by Turks and in need of support. Upon arrival after a 5 hour gallop Shanahan found a few survivors and was told the Turks had handed 300 prisoners over to Bedouin guards.

Shanahan found their camp deserted and strewn with the dismembered remains of 250 of the British brigade, among them Captain Anthony Bick- worth, the man Bill removed from his back at Gallipoli. The Turks were building up their army in the desert with the aim of driving the Allies out completely from Egypt. They were planning to attack the British base at Ro- mani and the Australian Light Horse were tasked with keeping tabs on the Turkish force of 3000 soldiers, 2000 mounted on camels & also supported with 5.9inch guns. This was the first time an Australian force was aided by the fledging Australian Flying Corps who threw messages wrapped in weights to the troopers on the ground. The boys in the aircraft also warned them there were two other concentrations of Turks in the region, one of 1000 infantry & 2000 camels and another of 3500 infantry, 1000 mounted on camels. This in fact was a ruse by the Turks to find out the strength of the Allied Forces, concentrate and weaken them. The real Turkish force with 25000 infantry was travelling from Cairo & Kantara.

On the 4th August 1916 the Turks attacked, between them and Romani 1500 Australian Light Horse. Chauvel planned an organized slow retreat and used his light horse to 29 The fight went through the night and the west flank of the Australians was pene- trated by sheer weight of numbers. Shanahan was ordered to deploy his troop to the area to help defend the withdrawal only to find it had been overrun with a small group of Tasmanian troopers trapped. With a small force supporting him Shanahan rode through the Turks firing pistol & rifle leaving Bill to run free. With his troopers keeping the Turks at bay Shanahan found 4 of the Tasmanians alive but without their horses. He ordered them to mount Bill with two using the stirrups and they fought their way to safety 3 Km away. The 5 weighed more than 380Kg & Bill didn’t object to the weight he carried. For that effort Shanahan was later awarded a DSO. Shanahan watered Bill and then they returned to the battle which went on all night. At dawn Shanahan was seriously wounded at Wellington Ridge with a bullet in his thigh. He fought on for another hour but lost consciousness through loss of blood & Bill turned and returned Shanahan to Et Maler, 2km to the rear, not to the hospital but to the Vet station. The battle was won by the British at about 3pm on the 5th August. Thirteen days after that Shanahan lost his leg to gangrene and would not ride in battle again. Bill went back to being a pack horse again, he wouldn’t let any other rider near him.

On the 31st October 1917 Chauvel ordered 800 Australian Light Horse to ride without stopping against 4400 Turks entrenched defending Beersheba and armed with artillery, machine guns and rifles. The Australians only carried pis- tols & rifles with their heavy arms carried by pack horses. Ben Towers was a machine gunner by this time and the pack horse assigned to him was Bill the Bastard. Ben was the only person Bill would respond to & Ben was happy to have him. The charge started in proper 2 1/2Km from the Turkish trenches. Luck was on the side of the Australians as an Essex artillery gun emplacement fired a range finding burst of shells at the Turkish trenches and by chance took out most of the machine guns in front of the charging horses. Ben made it to the line of trenches however was shot at some point after and was found later, alive but only just, being guarded by his pack horse Bill. He was loaded onto Bill & taken to the field hospital to die 4 days later.

Banjo Patterson came back into Bill’s life after Beersheba, keeping the horse out of harm’s way, thinking he would take the horse back to Australia and breed from him. He already had several horses he had purchased for this purpose. Bill survived the war at which time the British determined they owned the horses and took possession of them. They segregated them, the old taken away and shot, the young split between the British & Indian armies and 20,000 sold to the Egyptians. Many of the troopers disobeyed orders and took their chargers into the desert and shot them rather than leave them to the Arabs. The Australians took 6 mules & 4 Pack horses with 199 Anzac troopers back to Gallipoli on an artefact – gathering expedition. Their job was to search the hills for the remains of our soldiers and place them in properly marked graves. Paterson included 2 horses secretly, Bill the Bastard and a mare and gave

THOUGHTFUL SENIOR GOLFER

While golfing, a senior gentleman accidentally overturned his golf cart late one afternoon. A very attractive, young, female golfer, who lives in a villa on the golf course, heard the noise and called out, "Are you OK?"

"I’m OK, thanks," he replied, as he pulled himself out of the twisted cart.

She said, "Come up to my villa, rest a while, and I’ll help you get the cart up later."

The old guy noticed her silky bathrobe was partially open, revealing what appeared to be a very nice figure.

"That’s mighty nice of you," he answered, "but I don’t think my wife would like it."

"Oh, come on now!" she insisted. She was so pretty, and very, very persuasive. He was weak.

"Well, OK," he finally agreed.

After a couple of Scotch and sodas, he thanked her and said, "I feel a lot better now. But I know my wife is going to be really upset. So I’d better go now."

"Don’t be silly!" she said with a smile, letting her robe fall slightly more open. "Stay for a while. Your wife won’t know anything. By the way, where is she?"

A BLIGHTY WAS WHEN A SOLDIER RECEIVED A WOUND SEVERE ENOUGH TO BE REPATRIATED TO ENGLAND Goodbye, Major and Colonel too. Ever since we left Australia, we’ve been messed around by you. Gallipoli was a failure, and Pozieres a farce, take your rotten old AIF to hell, for I’ve got a Blighty pass. (DOWNING 1920) TERM USED IN WW1

31 SQUIRREL PROBLEMS

The Presbyterian Church called a meeting to decide what to do with their squirrel problem. After much prayer, they concluded that the squirrels were destined to be there and they shouldn’t interfere with God’s divine will.

At the Baptist Church the squirrels had taken an interest in the baptistery. The decons met and decided to put a water slide on the baptistery and let the squirrels drown themselves. The squirrels liked the waterslide and unfortunately, knew instinctively how to swim, so twice as many squirrels showed up the following week.

The Methodist Church decided they were not in a position to harm any of God’s creatures. So, they humanely trapped their squirrels and set them free near the Baptist Church. Two weeks later the squirrels were back when the Baptist took down the water slide.

But the Catholic Church came up with a very creative stragety. They bap- tised all the squirrels and consecrated them, as members of the church. Now they only see them at Christmas and Easter.

Not much was heard from the Jewish synagogue; they took the first squirrel

Heatons ~ Toronto West Tyre Service ~ Phone (02) 4959 3738

 All Brands of New Tyres

 Batteries

 Mechanical Repairs

 Authorised Inspection Station NEVILLE JOHN HEATON

BRITISH HUMOR ~ ACTUALLY FOUND IN BRITISH CLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE BY OWNER: Complete set of Encyclopaedia Britan- nica, 45 volumes. Excellent condition, 200 pounds or Best Offer. NO longer needed, got married, wife knows everything. WEDDING DRESS FOR SALE: Worn once by mistake. Call Stephanie, JOINING NUDIST COLONY: Must sell washer and dryer 100 pounds. COWS, CALVES: NEVER BRED. Also one Gay bull.

33 Community Rubbish Anouncement PLASTIC< PLASTIC

Did you see the series on the ABC TV entitled Rubbish, if you did it must have created a great deal of thought as to what we are leaving for our children, grandchildren & those who follow? The series highlighted the amount of rubbish we Australians discard that is not biodegradable, the greatest volume of which is plastic. Some years this district promoted the use of reusable bags to replace plastic shopping bags. Unfortunately, it became a fad that has now faded out! We have reverted to the plastic bag Control we have a problem... The plastic bottles, bags and takeaway containers that we use just for a few minutes use a material that is designed to last forever. These plastics:  break up, not break down – becoming permanent pollution  are mostly downcycled (made into low grade product for just one more use) or sent to landfill  ‘escape’ from bins, trucks, events etc. to become ‘accidental litter’  end up in waterways and the ocean – where scientists predict there will be more tonnes of plastic than tonnes of fish by 2050  transfer to the food chain – carrying pollutants with them increase our eco-footprint – plastic manufacturing consumes 6% of the world’s fossil fuels Every bit of plastic ever made still exists and in the first 10 years of this century the world economy produced more plastic than the entire 1900's! Are there any solutions. Some of us are already refusing plastic shopping bags, avoiding pre- packed fruit and veg, picking up other people's litter and avoiding buying bottled water.

Choosing to be part of the solution, you can act by:  Avoiding products in plastic packaging (choose alternatives)  Reducing where possible (opt for refills, remember your reusable shopping bags)  Refusing plastics that escape as litter (e.g. straws, takeaway cups, utensils, balloons) Recycling what cannot be avoided Are you in for the Plastic Free July choosetorefuse challenge?

34 Joining the challenge is quite simple...choose to refuse single-use plastic during July.

Plastic Free July aims to raise awareness of the problems with single-use disposable plastic and challenges people to do something

WHO ARE THESE MEN?

By Jodie Johnson, aged 11, Lancasahire, England

Who are these men, who march so proud? Who quietly weep, eyes closed, heads bowed? These are the men, who once were boys, Who missed out on youth, and all it’s joys.

Who are these men, with age-ed faces? Who quietly count the empty spaces? These are the men, who gave their all, Who fought for our country, for freedom for all?

Who are these men, with sorrowful look? Who can still remember, the lives that were took? These are the men, who saw young men die, The price of peace, is always high.

Who are these men, who in the midst of pain? Whisper comfort to those, they could not see again? These are the men, whose hands held tomorrow, Who brought back our furture, with blood tears and sorrow?

Who are these men who promise to keep? Alive in their hearts, the ones God holds asleep? These are the men, to whom I promise again, Veterans, my friends, I WILL REMEMBER THEM.

35 The following members and comrades Last Post have passed away since our last issue

Gordon BURRIDGE ~ RAN ~ January 2017 Clifford Daly MARCH ~ 2017 David George Martin ~ 2017 William Barry HODGSON ~ 2017 Jack WAKEMAN ~ ARMY ~ 8/05/2017 Heather (nee HOLMES) KENNERSON ~ 11/05/2017 John STEELE ~ ARMY ~ 11/05/2017 Ross Gregory MITCHELL ~ ARMY ~ 7/06/2017 Melodie DREW ~ RAF ~ 27/06/2017 Lest we forget

‘ZEST FOR LIFE‘ Active Over 50’s Exercise Classes Your local sub-Branch runs two classes per week under its “Zest for Life Program” A light exercise program at 8.00am on Tuesday of each week under the watchful eye of Advanced Exercise Pro- fessional Pamela Glover. The class runs for about 40 minutes to 1 hour. Cost: $5.00 per session

So if you feel that a little “Exercise” can help with your overall health, improving things, such as balance, strength, etc., come along and sign up. You will also get to meet new friends who have social outings, cups of

TORONTO NEWSAGENCY GIFTWARE AND STATIONARY SUPPLIES 66 The Boulevarde Toronto 2283

Andrew and Sharyn Fennell Proprietors Phone (02) 4959 1092 Fax (02) 4950 5089

[email protected] PO Box 1028 Warners Bay 2282

Stilling St. Rathmines 2283 Phone 4975 1955 Fax 4975 1953 Administration Phone 4975 1711 Email: [email protected] Website www.rathminesbc.com.au

GROUP TOURS CATALINA BISTRO CLUB ACTIVITIES of the Base and Cata- Open for Lunch & Dinner Daily Bowls Activities lina Memorial with Thursday to Sunday guide and lectures in Disabled Bowls Australian Cuisine your bus Bingo Dine in or Take away Morning Tea & Lunch Raffles included Functions Catered for Or visit yourself and pick up $10 lunch specials Entertainment a visitors guide to the base Daily specials Membership Draws

Members new Lounge open ~ Pool Table ~ Juke Box

A beautiful Cemetery and Crematorium for our community A dedicated Veteran, Services and Families Remembrance Garden A special place for ex-service men and women to lie at peace with their families

For further information call in our office or telephone for an appointment

405 Cessnock Road, Ryhope NSW 2283 Phone: 02 4950 5727 www.lakemacquariememorialpark.com.au